On the baseball field, the players were sweating heavily.
Facing the nation's top-tier giants, the reigning champions, the Seidou High School baseball team had created countless legends.
The players from Fukuoka High School were struggling greatly.
They had to admit that there was a huge gap in strength between the two teams.
Even though Seidou's Ace, the feared "Great Demon King" Sawamura Eijun, wasn't on the field, the gap still felt like an insurmountable chasm between the two teams.
They were too strong! Really, too strong!
Watching the recordings was completely different from facing them on the field. Only by actually playing against Seidou High School's baseball team could one truly feel the terror of Seidou's power.
Despite the immense pressure on the Fukuoka players, they showed no signs of distress on their faces. On the contrary, there was a slight ease in their demeanor.
Under the leadership of their Ace, Taiga, the Fukuoka players displayed an incredibly strong fighting spirit.
Except for the five runs scored by Seidou High School in the first inning, Fukuoka managed to keep the score tight in the following three innings.
By the time the fifth inning began, the score was 6:0, with Seidou High School leading by six runs.
However, even though Seidou was leading, their players had little smiles on their faces.
It was clear their battle objectives had not been fully achieved.
In stark contrast, the Fukuoka players, despite trailing by six runs, showed no signs of distress.
They appeared very calm as if the six runs weren't even theirs to worry about.
It was truly fascinating!
Especially after the fifth inning, the difference in emotional states became even more apparent.
Seidou's players began to seem a little impatient.
They hoped to quickly rack up the outs and score a large number of runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, wrapping up the game early and showing those who underestimated Seidou the true power of the champions.
But things didn't go as planned. At the beginning of the fifth inning, the opponent landed a sharp blow.
The first batter to step up to the plate was Fukuoka High's cleanup hitter.
Previously, he had managed a single, though it was nullified by a double play.
When facing this batter, Miyuki and Nishiyama were naturally extra cautious, using a variety of Balls and Gyro balls to handle him.
However, to their surprise, the batter wasn't intimidated at all and firmly locked eyes on Nishiyama.
After Nishiyama threw a Gyro ball, he followed up with a tricky straight ball.
This pitch was meant to deceive the batter, and even if he managed to make contact, the best outcome would likely be a Foul.
That was an acceptable result for Nishiyama.
But, unexpectedly, the batter made perfect contact.
Ping!
The batter in the strike zone swung his bat without hesitation and beautifully sent the ball flying.
Miyuki, behind the plate, furrowed his brow.
'He was aiming for it?'
His mind raced as fast as lightning.
The slightest sign from the batter immediately revealed Fukuoka's strategy.
As a former world runner-up pitcher, Nishiyama had his own ace in the hole.
This ace was Nishiyama's Gyro ball.
Without his Gyro ball, Nishiyama would be a solid 60-point pitcher, but with it, he could easily be an 80-point pitcher, a game-changer.
Fukuoka High had no true standout hitters capable of taking down Nishiyama's Gyro ball.
In Miyuki's opinion, even if Fukuoka's batter managed to hit Nishiyama's Gyro ball, it would be mostly by luck.
In terms of raw skill, he doubted Fukuoka had anyone with that kind of ability.
What made Fukuoka High's players so tough was their understanding of their own strengths and limitations. They didn't force themselves into situations they couldn't handle.
Instead, they devised a different batting strategy, completely abandoning Nishiyama's Gyro ball and focusing on other pitches.
Although Nishiyama's main pitch was the Gyro ball, that didn't mean all of his pitches were Gyro balls.
Occasionally, he still threw other types of pitches.
Like now, when he threw a straight ball.
That straight ball was hit and became a double.
If that was all, it would just serve as a warning to Seidou's players, with no significant impact.
Unfortunately, things weren't that simple.
After Fukuoka's fourth batter reached second base, the next batter didn't rush to follow him.
In all honesty, Seidou didn't mind such an approach.
Especially Miyuki, who loved when the opponent attacked recklessly.
However, Fukuoka wasn't that type of team.
They weren't looking to mount a sudden comeback off a single base runner.
Instead, they pragmatically employed a hit-and-run strategy, forcing a run to reduce the score.
Even someone as skilled as Miyuki found it difficult to stop them when they were determined.
6:1!
Just as Seidou's players were fired up and eager to end the game early, Fukuoka managed to score another run.
It was a frustrating moment, making Seidou feel irritated.
After Nishiyama, they quickly got the third Out.
On the defense of the fifth inning, Nishiyama had only allowed one run.
This was a match for the top 16 in West Tokyo. While Fukuoka's advancement had a bit of luck involved, they were still among the top 16.
In this context, Nishiyama's performance was impressive.
However, he wasn't satisfied.
Neither were the other Seidou players.
If glaring could kill, Fukuoka's fourth batter would have been dismembered already.
But unfortunately, glaring doesn't kill.
So, despite their burning frustration, the game had to continue.
Bottom of the fifth inning, Seidou's offense.
The score was 6:1.
The gap was only five runs…
If Seidou still hoped to end the game early, they would need to score at least five runs this inning.
Their opponent was in good form!
Since the second inning, Taiga had completely shed his mental burden and seemed like a different person.
Taking him down wouldn't be easy.
But if Seidou wanted to wrap things up early, they had to defeat Taiga.
Although it wouldn't be easy, it had to be done!
The first to step up to the plate, Kominato Haruichi, fully understood the task.
He had to get on base and hit a single.
Before stepping up to bat, he had that thought firmly in his mind.
But once he stood in the Batter's Box, his mind was clear of distractions.
With pure focus, he locked eyes with his opponent, with only one goal: to hit the incoming baseball.
With a clear mind and no distractions, success was much more likely.
This wasn't something everyone could do.
Kominato Haruichi was naturally clear-minded and had the talent for this.
What was difficult for others was effortless for him.
He watched the incoming ball, swung his bat, and the two were in perfect sync, the bat meeting the ball perfectly.
It felt as though they had practiced this countless times before and could now do it effortlessly.
Paak!
The baseball flew cleanly, landing behind the first baseman.
Though the distance wasn't far, the ball's trajectory was perfect, passing through the outfielders' defense.
Naturally, it became a long hit.
Seizing the opportunity, Kominato Haruichi dashed forward.
He passed first base and headed for second base.
The situation changed to no Outs, with a runner on second.
The fans in the stands, seeing Kominato's excellent performance, became incredibly excited.
"SEIDOU!"
"SEIDOU!!!"
"KOMINATO!"
"DEVIL BROTHER!!!…"
Kominato Haruichi was nicknamed "Devil Brother."
He got this nickname because of his older brother, Kominato Ryosuke, who was known as "Devil Brother."
His natural demeanor also made him resemble the younger brother next door.
Amidst the cheers of "Devil Brother!" Shiratsu stepped up to bat.
Once in the Batter's Box, he set up for a bunt.
In Seidou's dugout, Coach Kataoka nodded slightly.
It was clear he was very pleased with Shiratsu's performance.
Shiratsu wasn't acting on Kataoka's or any coach's orders.
He was making his own decisions.
The players, in such a crucial game, didn't just avoid mistakes but showed signs of growth.
Nothing could be more reassuring for a coach than that.
The baseball came flying, and Shiratsu quickly retracted his bat, watching the ball approach.
Here it comes!
Just as the ball was about to enter his strike zone, Shiratsu swung his bat decisively.
Ping!
"SAFE!!!"
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Seidou High's baseball team suddenly erupted.
They revealed their fangs to the poor Fukuoka team.
At last, they started showing their true dominance.
Once their fangs were out, there was no turning back.
This signified that there was no chance for a comeback for Fukuoka.
It would come down to who had the better skills to emerge as the final victor.
...
T/N: This Game Will Be Completed Tomorrow!!!
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